Reclosable carrying case



Aug. 26, 1969 J. .1. DLUGCPOLSKI RECLOSABLE CARRY ING CASE Filed Feb. 16, 1968 ATTORN EVS United States Patent 3,463,379 RECLOSABLE CARRYING CASE Joseph J. Dlugopolski, Lombard, Ill., assignor to Container Corporation of America, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 16, 1968, Ser. No. 705,991 Int. Cl. B65d /22, 5/46 US. Cl. 229-33 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A paperboard, reclosable' carrying case comprising a pair of box-like sections hingedly interconnected at the bottom and having, at the top, handle means and interlocking flap means.

This invention relates to carrying cases and more particularly to a reclosable suit-case style paperboard case with handle which is suitable for transporting a relatively heavy or large object such as a keg of beer.

An object of the invention is to provide a case with a pair of hinged sections having flaps overlying each other to reinforce a handle section and also provide interlocking means for reclosing the container.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of a reclosable case having a pair of similar sections each having side, top, bottom, and end walls with bottom walls hingedly interconnected and with flaps extending from the top wall of each section overlying or underlying the top wall of the other section.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from an examination of the following description and drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a case embodying features of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, but with the case shown in an open position;

FIGURE .3 is a plan view of a portion of the blank from which the case of the other views is formed;

FIGURE 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of FIG- URE 4.

It will be understood that, for purposes of clarity, certain elements of the invention have been intentionally omitted from certain views where they are believed to be illustrated to better advantage in other views.

Referring now to the drawing for a better understanding of the invention, it will be seen that the novel carrying case, indicated generally at C in FIGURE 1, is equipped with a handle, indicated generally at H, and may be formed from a unitary blank of foldable paperboard, indicated generally at B in FIGURE 3 of the drawing.

The case is a reclosable container of the so-called suitcase style comprising a pair of generally similar first and second box-like sections and 20, respectively, which are hingedly attached to form an openable and reclosable case for carrying a relatively heavy or large object such as tapper keg of beer. It will be understood, of course, that the case can be used for carrying other types of articles.

As best seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, each of the sections includes a preferably rectangular, vertically disposed side wall 30 having a pair of preferably rectangular top and bottom wall panels 32 and 36 hingedly attached to the upper and lower edges thereof along hinge lines 34 and 38, respectively, and disposed to diverge outwardly therefrom. Each section also includes a pair of end walls 40 each comprising an outer panel 42 hingedly attached -to an end edge of the side wall on a hinge line 44 and a pair of inner panels 46 hingedly attached to end edges of the respective top and bottom Wall panels along hinge lines 48. The outer and inner panels may be attached to each other in any manner, such as by stitches 49, in order to provide a rigid enclosed structure. In the container illustrated in FIGURE 2 the end walls 40 are of a trapazoidal shape so that the overall structure is hexagonal in cross section, because it is adapted to contain a generally cylindrical article. If desired, however, the top and bottom wall panels of each section may be disposed at right angles to the side wall and the end walls may be of a rectangular configuration so that the overall container is square or rectangular in vertical cross section.

The first and second sections may be hingedly attached to each other at the forward edges of their respective bottom wall panels 36 along a longitudinally extending hinge line 15.

Still referring to FIGURES 2 and 3, it will be seen that first section 10 has an inner closure flap 50 hingedly attached to the forward edge of top wall panel 32 along a hinge line 52. Inner closure flap 50 is disposed to project outwardly from the first section so as to underlie a marginal portion of top wall panel 32 of the second section when the sections are brought together to close the container.

Inner section closure flap 50 may be provided with a pair of spaced holes 54 which are located on the hinge line 52 between the flap and related top wall panel. The purpose of the holes is to retain the ends of the handle, as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 of the drawing.

First section top wall panel 32 is also preferably pro vided with a pair of spaced tab receiving holes 56, the purpose of which is described hereinafter.

Still referring to FIGURE 2 it will be seen that second section 20 includes a first outer closure flap hingedly attached along hinge line 62 to the forward edge of second section top panel 32 and also a second outer closure flap 64 hingedly attached along hinge line 66 to the forward edge of first outer closure flap 60.

It is to be understood that, if desired, first and second outer closure flaps 60 and 64 may be formed as a common flap without the hinge or score line 66 therebetween. The purpose of forming them as separate hingedly interconnected flaps is merely to facilitate opening of the container in a manner hereinafter described.

At its outer ends there are hingedly attached to second outer flap 64 a pair of locking tabs 68 which are disposed to extend through related tab receiving holes 56 in the top wall panel 32 of first section 10.

As best seen in FIGURE .3 there is provided in second section 20 a handle opening 70 located at hinge line 62 between top wall panel 32 and first outer closure flaps 60. The purpose of this opening is to permit the handle to project out of the carton in a manner hereinafter described as illustrated in FIGURE 1.

To describe the operation of the container, it will be seen that as the first and second sections are brought together in face-to-face relation, inner closure flap 50 is disposed to underlie the adjacent marginal portion of second section top wall panel 32 and first and second outer closure flaps 60 and 64, respectively, of second section 20 are disposed to overlie a marginal portion of first section top wall panel 32 with the locking tabs 68 being inserted through the receiving openings 56 in the first section top wall panel and with the handle which is attached to the first section extending out of the container through opening 70 in the top of the first section.

Thus there is provided a relatively simple container construction with a handle arrangement and reinforced top wall section which will permit the container to be used for carrying relatively heavy objects and which is at the same time very easy to open and reclose.

I claim:

1. A reclosable carrying case, formed from a unitary blank of foldable paperboard, for holding a relatively large object such as a beer keg, said case comprising:

(a) a pair of hollow first and second sections;

(b) each of said sections having:

(i) a generally rectangular, vertical side wall;

(ii) a pair of opposed, generally rectangular top and bottom wall panels hinged to and diverging outwardly from top and bottom edges, respectively, of said side wall;

(iii) a pair of opposed, generally trapezoidal end walls hingedly connected to opposite end edges of said side wall and said top and bottom wall panels to form therewith a box-like enclosure open at one side thereof;

() said sections being hingedly interconnected along corresponding front side edges of their respective bottom wall panels;

((1) said first section including:

(i) an inner closure flap hingedly attached to the front side edge of said top wall panel and disposed to underlie a marginal portion of said second section top wall panel;

(ii) a handle extending upwardly therefrom at the hinge line between said top .wall panel and said inner closure flap;

(iii) a pair of tab receiving openings in said top wall panel;

(e) said second section including:

(i) a first outer closure flap hingedly attached at its rear edge to the front side edge of said top wall panel and disposed to overlie a marginal portion of said first section top wall panel;

(ii) a second outer closure flap hingedly attached to the front edge of said first outer closure flap and disposed to overlie said first section top wall panel;

(iii) a pair of locking tabs hingedly attached to opposite end edges of said second outer closure panel and disposed to extend downwardly through the tab receiving openings in said first section top wall panel;

(iv) an opening at the hinge line of said top wall panel and first outer closure fiap for receiving said upwardly projecting handle.

2. A reclosable carrying case, formed from a unitary blank of foldable paperboard, said case comprising:

(a) a pair of hollow first and second sections;

(b) each of said sections having:

(i) a generally rectangular, vertical side wall;

(ii) a pair of opposed, generally rectangular top and bottom wall panels hinged to and extending outwardly from top and bottom edges, respectively, of said side wall;

(iii) a pair of opposed end walls hingedly connected to opposite end edges of said side wall and said top and said top and bottom wall panels to form therewith a box-like enclosure open at one side thereof;

(c) said sections being hingedly interconnected along corresponding front side edges of their respective bottom wall panels;

((1) said first section including:

(i) an inner closure flap hingedly attached to the front side edge of said top wall panel and dis posed to underlie a marginal portion of said second section top wall panel;

(ii) a handle extending upwardly therefrom at the hinge line between said top wall panel and said inner closure flap;

(iii) a pair of tab receiving openings in said top wall panel;

(c) said second section including:

(i) a first outer closure flap hingedly attached at its rear edge to the front side edge of said top wall panel and disposed to overlie a marginal portion of said first section top wall panel;

(ii) a second outer closure flap hingedly attached to the front edge of said first outer closure flap and disposed to overlie said first section top wall panel;

(iii) a pair of locking tabs hingedly attached to opposite end edges of said second outer closure panel and disposed to extend downwardly through the tab receiving openings in said first section top wall panel;

(iv) an opening at the hinge line of said top wall panel and first outer closure flap for receiving said upwardly projecting handle.

3. A reclosable carrying case, formed from a unitary blank of foldable paperboard, said case comprising:

(a) a pair of hollow first and second sections;

(b) each of said sections having:

(i) a generally rectangular, vertical side wall;

(ii) a pair of opposed, generally rectangular top and bottom wall panels hinged to and diverging outwardly from top and bottom edges, respectively, of said side wall;

(iii) a pair of opposed, generally trapezoidal end walls hingedly connected to opposite end edges of said side wall and said top and bottom wall panels to form therewith a box-like enclosure open at one side thereof;

(c) said sections being hingedly interconnected along corresponding front side edges of their respective bottom Wall panels;

(d) said first section including:

(i) an inner closure flap hingedly attached to the front side edge of said top wall panel and disposed to underlie a marginal portion of said second section top wall panel;

(ii) a handle extending upwardly therefrom at the hinge line between said top wall panel and said inner closure flap;

(iii) a pair of tab receiving openings in said top wall panel;

(e) said second section including:

(i) an outer closure flap hingedly attached at its rear edge to the front side edge of said top wall panel and disposed to overlie a marginal portion of said first section top wall panel;

( ii) a pair of locking tabs hingedly attached to opposite end edges of said outer closure panel and disposed to extend downwardly through the tab receiving openings in said first section top wall panel;

(in) an opening at the hinge line of said top wall panel and first outer closure flap for receiving said upwardly projecting handle.

4. A reclosable carrying case, formed from a unitary blank of foldable paperboard, said case comprising:

(a) a pair of hollow first and second sections;

(h) each of said sections having:

(i) a vertical side wall;

(ii) a pair of opposed top and bottom wall panels hinged to and extending outwardly from top and bottom edges, respectively, of said side wall;

(iii) a pair of opposed end walls hingedly connected to opposite end edges of said side wall and said top and bottom wall panels to form therewith a box-like enclosure open at one side thereof;

(0) said sections being hingedly interconnected along corresponding front side edges of their respective bottom wall panels;

(d) said first section including:

(i) an inner closure flap hingedly attached to the front side edge of said top wall panel and disposed to underlie a marginal portion of said second section top wall panel;

(ii) a handle extending upwardly therefrom at the hinge line between said top wall panel and said inner closure flap;

(iii) at least one tab receiving opening in said top wall panel;

(e) said second section including:

(i) an enclosure flap hingedly attached at its rear edge to the front side edge of said top wall panel and disposed to overlie a marginal portion of said first section top wall panel;

(ii) at least one locking tab hingedly attached to opposite end edges of said outer closure panel and disposed to extend downwardly through the tab receiving opening in said first section top wall panel;

panel and first outer closure flap for receiving said upwardly projecting handle.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Buttery et a1. 206-58 XR Wellman 22933 Snyder 2294 1 Seifer.

Seifer et a1.

Simons.

Gibbons 22933 Wikstrom.

Linville.

Bridenstine 229-44 DAVIS T. MOORHEAD, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

(iii) an opening at the hinge line of said top wall 20 229-52 

